Digital Commons Network^™

Covid's Impact On Our Youngest Learners, Scottie Ellsworth

Journal of the Symposium of University Research and Creative Expression

Project Mentor(s): Amanda Obery, PhD; Wendie Castillo

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted education, leaving lasting effects on elementary students’ academic development, particularly in literacy and reading comprehension. This research investigated the long-term educational impacts of the pandemic by drawing on qualitative insights from interviews with five educators across a range of specializations, including general education, interventional support, and multilingual learning. Using inductive thematic analysis and descriptive coding, the study identified key themes that reflected shifts in academic achievement, student behavior, attendance, and school priorities post-pandemic. These findings illuminate critical areas where students require support and outline the structural, instructional, and …

Systemic Resilience: Covid-19 And Healthcare Quality In Acute Myocardial Infarction At Tertiary Medical Centers – A Nationwide Study From Taiwan, Shih-An Liu, Sheng-Hui Hung, Chih-Hung Ku, Yan-Ru Wang, Ching-I Chang, Pa-Chun Wang

Journal of Health Research

Background: The COVID-19 was a pandemic once in a century. This study aimed to review the quality of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) care during the COVID-19 pandemic from a national perspective.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using Joint Commission of Taiwan (JCT)’s national Taiwan Clinical Performance Indicator (TCPI) system AMI care data, in correlation with Taiwan Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 epidemiological information. The time frames of the current study were categorized into four periods, based on the four levels of epidemic prevention and response established by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC). Quality indicators among different periods were …

Electronic Device Usage During Covid-19 And Suspected Developmental Delay In Rural Thai Children: A Case-Control Study, Kunnara Maneekunwong, Pimkanabhon Trakooltorwong, Salisa Kodyee, Nathamon Wutthipan, Chompunut Sopajaree, Katemanee Moonpanane

Asia-Pacific Social Science Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the way in which people interact with and use technology, particularly in early childhood. This study investigated the relationship between electronic device usage during the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Thailand and suspected developmental delay (SDD) in early childhood. A case-control study aimed to investigate the relationship between suspected SDD and electronic device usage among children aged 2–5 and their primary caregivers in Chiang Rai province, Thailand. The cases were children with SDD, whereas the controls were children with age-appropriate development. The Developmental Surveillance and Promotion Manual (DSPM) and the Screen Media Exposure (SME) questionnaire …

Immunological Aspects Of Migraine And Post-Covid Headache In A Narrative Review, Marwa Mohammed Ali Jassim, Ahmed Jameel Obayes, Abeer Mohammed Ali Al-Garawyi

Muthanna Medical Journal

Migraine is the most prevalent multidisciplinary and multifactorial neurologic disorder which is manifested by recurrent headache attack. Conditional findings indicate that nutritional deficiencies especially the deficiency of Vitamin B12 could be an influence on the pathophysiology of migraine through neurological functioning and the conversion of homocysteine. According to a recent literature, vitamin D deficiency has a potential role to play in the incidence and severity of migraines and related processes of inflammation in migraine pathogenesis. Conversely, the preservation of electric potential of the neurons is one of the principal purposes of Mg. Consequently, neurological complications may result from magnesium deficiency; …

Whole-Blood Cellular Responses: A Promising Indicator Of Sars-Cov-2 Immunity Compared To Serology, Lucas M. Zhou, Elizabeth H. Duncan, Rupsa C. Boelig, Margaret Costanzo, Jeffrey R. Currier, Elke S. Bergmann-Leitner

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Background: Currently available immunological tests for SARS-CoV-2 assess only antibody responses. Despite the growing evidence that T cells play a crucial role in protection, especially against emerging viral variants, no routine test is available to determine T cell immunity. The prognostic value of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies for determining whether individuals are immune and protected against disease remains uncertain. This is in part due to the following: (a) specificity and limitations such as the sensitivity of antibody tests, and (b) the lack of correlation between antibody titers (quantity) and the antiviral function of antibodies (quality). Approximately a quarter of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients with …

Understanding Covid-19 Message Fatigue And Reactance In A Post-Crisis Context, Lillian Hamilton Mantel

Dissertations and Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted widespread public health messaging encouraging behaviors such as vaccination, mask-wearing, and staying home when sick. However, persistent exposure to these messages has sometimes produced unintended effects, including message fatigue and psychological reactance. Drawing on psychological reactance theory (PRT) and the integrative model of behavioral prediction (IMBP), this study examines the relationships between message fatigue, psychological reactance, and behavioral intentions toward three COVID-19 preventive behaviors: vaccination, masking, and staying home when sick. A survey of 348 U.S. adults assessed participants' levels of message fatigue, psychological reactance, attitudes, perceived norms, self-efficacy, response efficacy, collective efficacy, and behavioral intentions. …

Dilemmas And Prospects Of Infectious Disease Prevention In Long-Term Care: A Qualitative Study, Po-Jen Kung, Ching-Min Chen, Nancy Reynolds

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Aim: To explore the experiences of long-term care workers in preventing emerging infectious diseases, the challenges they faced during the pandemic, and how they were addressed.

Design: This study used an exploratory qualitative research design.

Methods: The study involved various long-term care institutions across Taiwan. Twelve interviewees, including four nurses, four nursing assistants, and four managers, were recruited via purposive sampling. All interviewees worked in the sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, were actively involved in clinical care or institutional management, and were proficient in Mandarin. In-depth interviews were conducted face-to-face between July and August 2024, and data …

Hospital And Temporal Variations In Limitations Of Care Among Hospitalized Patients With Covid-19: A Virus Registry Retrospective Cohort Study, Nathan Mesfin, Nitesh Kumar Jain, Anwar Khedr, Hisham Mushtaq, Abbas B. Jama, Noura Attallah, Esraa Hassan, Benjamin Langworthy, Nicholas Ingraham, Juan Pablo Domecq Garces, Thoyaja Koritala, Donna Lee Armaignac, Nicholas Eugene Perkins, Katherine Belden, Vishakha Kumar, Karen Boman, Devang K. Sanghavi, Vikas Bansal, Rahul Kashyap, Rodrigo Cartin-Ceba, Abigail La Nou, Allan J. Walkey, R. Adams Dudley, Syed Anjum Khan

Division of Infectious Diseases and Environmental Medicine Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Life-support limits (i.e., code status), the first step in the continuum of palliation and end-of-life (EoL) care, stem from decisions made by patients and their providers to align care near the EoL with patients' wishes. The pandemic created health care strain that may have influenced life-support limitation practices among patients with serious COVID-19. In this study, we examine variations in life-support limitations (do-not-resuscitate, DNR; do-not-intubate, DNI) depending on the hospital and period of hospitalization.

METHODS: We included all adults admitted to a hospital in the United States with COVID-19 from January 2020 to December 2021 using the VIRUS registry. …

The Covid-19 Pandemic And College Students' Experiences: A Phenomenological Study, Mervin L. Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and comprehend the lived experiences of college students at North Carolinian colleges and universities during the interruption and transitions of studies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This research used qualitative inquiry design and employed Schlossberg’s transition theory to guide the study. Schlossberg’s transition theory correlates with this research and phenomenological exploration because it underscores the varying abilities and incapacities of students to persist through their studies during challenging circumstances. The setting for this research was North Carolinian higher education institutions within Mecklenburg County which boast 17 colleges and universities within a 50-mile …

“Sisters, Are You Running Out Of Menstrual Supplies??”: Exploring #Sistersfightpandemicwithease And Tactical Hashtag Feminism In The Covid-19 Crisis, Qingyue Sun

Interdisciplinary Studies

This article examines the hashtag feminism movement#SistersFightPandemicWithEase (#SFPWE) on Weibo, analyzing how it navigated state censorship, online misogyny, and platform governance during the Wuhan lockdown in China. Through qualitative analysis, I argue that #SFPWE diverges from traditional hashtag feminism,instead operating as a form of pragmatic feminism in crisis. The movement embodies what I term tactical feminist activism—an issue-based advocacy that prioritizes pragmatic problem-solving over structural critique. Its tactical nature lies in its ability to appear politically non-threatening and temporarily valuable to authorities. However, findings indicate that #SFPWE ultimately reinforced state legitimacy rather than challenging the structural gender inequalities underlying the …

Covid-19 Infection Prevention And Control Guidelines Of Philippine Physical Therapy Association (Ppta) And Rehabilitation Department Of Select Hospitals In The Philippines: Impact On Infection Trend, Ghiester Marc T. Estrellado, Venize Edanne F. Montecillo, Cristina Faye C. Panopio, Alexandra Marie V. Amistoso, Raymond M. Tosoc

Philippine Journal of Physical Therapy

Introduction: There is a paucity of evidence supporting the need for setting up hospital COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines for Physical Therapists (PTs) that meet global standards. This study aimed to determine the consistency of IPC guidelines among different rehabilitation departments of hospitals within Region IV-A and the Philippine Physical Therapy Association’s (PPTA) recommendations with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) IPC guidance document. It also compared the hospitals’ consistency scores with the trend of infected PTs per month.

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional survey, an online checklist was developed and validated to examine the consistency of the IPC …

Sars-Cov-2 Nsp13 Interacts With Tead To Suppress Hippo-Yap Signaling, Fansen Meng, Jong Hwan Kim, Chang-Ru Tsai, Jeffrey D Steimle, Jun Wang, Yufeng Shi, Rich G Li, Bing Xie, Vaibhav Deshmukh, Shijie Liu, Xiao Li, James F Martin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The Hippo pathway controls organ development, homeostasis, and regeneration primarily by modulating YAP/TEAD-mediated gene expression. Although emerging studies report Hippo-YAP dysfunction after viral infection, it is largely unknown in the context of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here, we analyzed RNA sequencing data from human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) and SARS-CoV-2-infected human lung samples, and observed a decrease in YAP target gene expression. In screening SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural proteins, we found that nonstructural protein 13 (NSP13), a conserved coronavirus helicase, inhibits YAP transcriptional activity independent of the upstream Hippo kinases LATS1/2. Consistently, introducing NSP13 into mouse cardiomyocytes suppresses …

Language Teacher Agency Of Dual Language Bilingual Education Teachers: Incorporating Translanguaging And Funds Of Knowledge In Blended Learning, Grace Jue Yeon Kim

Faculty Journal Articles

Bilingual teachers enact agency as language policymakers and advocate for

students in providing holistic support. This ethnographic study examines 2nd

and 4th grade Spanish-English dual language bilingual education teachers’

agentive actions in implementing pedagogical strategies informed by translanguaging

and funds of knowledge during blended learning in 2021. The

findings revealed that the teachers identified challenges and posed questions

as they transitioned to blended learning for the first time. They celebrated

the positives of returning to in-person schooling, agentively

navigated the new environment, and provided holistic support for the

students. The teachers also supported emergent bilingual students’ language

and content learning …

The Lingering Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Nurses, Linda H. Yoder, Jacqueline M. Gordon, Noah Zanville

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is the experience of positive psychological change after struggling with major life crises, often resulting in a re-evaluation of priorities, greater appreciation for life, and spiritual/existential growth. The purpose of this national study was to measure PTG levels among nurses caring for patients during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: The survey study consisted of 2,077 U.S. based Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) members and nurses from 23 hospitals in HCA Healthcare. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Expanded (PTGI-X) and a demographic data collection sheet were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and reliability testing were performed, as well …

Unvaccinated By Doubt: How Covid-19 Governance Sparked A Measles Outbreak, Ellen Black

Law Faculty Scholarship

This Article examines how the erosion of public trust in government and public health institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the resurgence of measles in the United States. It argues that pandemic-era governance—marked by inconsistent scientific messaging, politically charged public health mandates, and the federal government’s coordination with social media platforms to suppress dissenting viewpoints—generated widespread skepticism that continues to undermine vaccination uptake. Through a detailed analysis of lockdown policies, vaccine and mask mandates, and the subsequent revelations regarding governmental influence over online content moderation, the Article demonstrates how conflicting guidance and perceived censorship fostered long-lasting public doubt. …

The Experience Of A Medicalized Hotel Due To Covid-19, Ariadna Barta, Marta Cervera, Joan Escarrabill, Eva Palou, Anna Carbonell, Georgia Narsavage, Faust Feu, Carmen Hernandez

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The emerging pandemic⁽¹⁾ caused by the rapid spread of the new coronavirus Covid-19 required urgent reorganization to respond to care demands of patients with this new disease^(2-4). In Spain, nurses were key contributors to providing out of hospital care. Transforming a hotel into a medical setting was an innovative idea that was able to provide integrated nursing and quality health care for patients recovering from Covid-19^(5,8,9).

Purpose: To examine the experiences and perceived care of patients admitted to a Medicalized Hotel (MH) for Covid-19, from March 25 and May 15, 2020, by asking them …

Adaptive Ensemble Approaches For Face Mask Detection Using Transfer Learning Model, Faisal Alshanketi

University of Bisha Journal for Basic and Applied Sciences

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, wearing a mask has become mandatory and remains crucial in the ongoing pandemic. In certain situations and conditions, masks may be required periodically. However, manually monitoring large crowds of people to ensure they are wearing masks in public places or events can be an arduous task that is both time-consuming and difficult to manage. One way to address the challenge of manually monitoring mask-wearing in public places is to adopt machine learning (ML) methods and ICT-based surveillance mechanisms, thereby reducing the need for large numbers of personnel. While previous studies have proposed various machine learning models …

Comparing Regulation With Collective Bargaining: Drawing On Processes Of Change During The Covid-19 Crisis In Israel, Lilach Lurie, Guy Mundlak

Comparative Labor Law & Policy Journal

This article compares two systems of labour market governance: regulation by means of employment standards, and norms that are established in collective bargaining. A comparative framework draws nine criteria, spanning procedural and substantive dimensions, and emphasises the degree of integration between the systems, or “coupling.” The study uses Israel’s response to the COVID-19 crisis as a case study, drawing on a unique dataset of all regulatory provisions and collective agreements concluded from March 2020 to December 2021, supplemented by interviews with key actors. In the public sector, strong coupling was achieved through coordinated regulatory and bargaining processes, resulting in more …

Impact Of Covid-19 On Selected Nurse And Patient Outcomes In Emergency Units Across South Africa, Annette Lucia Pienaar, Siedine Knobloch Coetzee, Alwiena Johanna Blignaut, Marcel Fladimar Mather, Erika Fourie

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

There is extensive research on nurse outcomes^1-6 and nurse-reported patient outcomes^7-11 before, during, and after the COVID-19 outbreak . However, there is a notable absence of studies that examine such outcomes in emergency units across South Africa. It is evident that emergency nurses often experience the most adverse nurse outcomes, and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these negative impacts on emergency nurse outcomes^12-15. Not only is there a scarcity of studies examining the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurse outcomes and nurse-reported patient outcomes in general in South Africa, but minimal research has been conducted …

The Economic Burden Of Covid-19 In A Region With Stringent Response Measures: A Case Study Of Taiwan, Elise Chia-Hui Tan, Fei-Yuan Hsiao, Ming-Chin Yang

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a significant economic burden globally, particularly in regions with stringentresponse measures. This study aimed to assess the economic impact of COVID-19 in Taiwan, focusing on both directand indirect costs. A cost-of-illness analysis was conducted, utilizing data from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control(CDC), national databases, epidemiological studies, and economic surveys. The analysis included both direct costs (e.g.,hospital admissions, outpatient care) and indirect costs (e.g., productivity losses due to long COVID, absenteeism, caregiving duties). The study encompassed Taiwan's population of 23.2 million, with particular attention to age-specific impacts on economic outcomes. The total economic burden of …

Predictors For Different Levels Of Covid-19 Vaccination Among Immigrant And Non-Immigrant Adults, Cheryl Zlotnick, Orit Cohen Castel

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Overview: This study contributes to the literature by examining a comprehensive operationalization of vaccination status among working-age (21-49 years), immigrant and non-immigrant adults.

Background: The commonly used outcome, obtained any vaccination versus not, tends to overestimate COVID-19 vaccination utilization, distorting the associations found with covariates/predictors. More recent studies have used a three-variable COVID-19 status outcome of any, partial or complete vaccinations. However, they lacked a theoretical framework and focused on older and non-immigrant populations. This study examined working-age immigrants and non-immigrants, used the three-variable operationalization of COVID-19 vaccination, and was guided by Andersen’s Behavioral Model with its three factors …

The New England Trail, End To End In Five Days: A Running Couple Test Their Limits, Scott Livingston

Appalachia

A moment-by-moment narrative of a grueling run from Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire to Guilford, Connecticut from June 17 through June 22, 2020.

The Lmpact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Registered Nurses, Mary Ellen Roberts, Joyce M. Knestrick, Lenore Resick

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: The Covid –19 pandemic is a new experience with a substantial impact on the health and well-being of nurses caring for the patients diagnosed with the disease. Increased work and family demands have not been studied in these frontline workers. COVID-19 has altered many US nurses’ career plans. Over the past two years, the researchers have spoken with nurses who consistently, and increasingly, report planning to leave the workforce. This study looks at the impact of COVID-19 on the professional and personal lives of nurses.

Purpose: To understand the effects of COVID-19 a global pandemic on nurses caring for …

Nurses’ Lived Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study, Kala Mayer, Jo Anne Bennett, Elizabeth Reifsnider, Jeanie Skibiski, Soojung Jo

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for nurses, including confronting end-of-life decisions, witnessing patient suffering, and burnout. Nevertheless, many nurses demonstrated resilience and personal growth despite adversities. Notable gaps in the literature include limited exploration of the long-term impacts of the pandemic on nurses, variations in experiences based on geographic, gender, and cultural factors, as well as the role of leadership and organizational response. Likewise, how nurses adapted to innovations such as new technologies and the impact of their pandemic experiences on patient outcomes and care quality remain underexplored. This study employed a phenomenological descriptive approach to capture nurses’ lived …

Factors Affecting Work Productivity Loss During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Meta-Correlation Analysis, Jiyeon Jung, Inhae Cho, Jihyun Moon

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Backgrounds: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in work productivity across various sectors. Identifying the factors influencing the loss of work productivity during a pandemic can have significant implications for health promotion and management among workers.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate work productivity loss (including absenteeism and presenteeism) among workers during the COVID-19 pandemic by analyzing potential risk factors, such as demographic, individual, psychosocial, and organizational factors.

Design: We conducted a systematic review and meta-correlation analysis to identify risk factors influencing work productivity loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Review methods: Data were comprehensively searched across …

Exploring Cultural Dimensions Of Nurses' Experiences During Covid-19 In The Us And Hungary, Kala Mayer, Judit Staller, Jo Anne Bennett, Zoltán Balogh, Jeanie Skibiski, Anna Jeney, Soojung Jo, Elizabeth Reifsnider

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Both the Hungarian and U.S. public health and care systems were inadequately prepared to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to significant distress among nurses. The role of geographical, gender, and cultural factors, along with leadership and organizational response during the pandemic between countries, remains underexplored in the literature. Nurses around the world are now more likely than before the pandemic to leave direct patient care roles. Cultural influences and healthcare system structure play crucial roles in shaping nurses' decisions to stay in or leave the profession. To address this research gap, we are using the lens of Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions …

Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure And Financial Performance: Empirical Evidence From Vietnam, Nguyen T. Tran, Nhung T. Le, Tung D. Nguyen

Economic and Business Review

This study examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and firm performance, with particular attention to CSR's role as a mitigating mechanism during periods of economic crisis, notably the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a unique hand-collected dataset comprising CSR disclosures from Vietnamese publicly listed firms in the VNR500 index between 2014 and 2021, the analysis employs both accounting-based (return on equity) and market-based (Tobin's Q) performance indicators. The empirical findings indicate a positive association between CSR disclosure and firm performance across both measures. Disaggregated analysis reveals that governance-related disclosures significantly enhance market valuation, whereas the presence of a …

The Effect Of A Kn95 Mask On High-Intensity Interval Training Performance, Physiological Response, And Perception, David Kenny, Payton Stanziani, Holly Chambers, Madison Vinovrski, Isabel Allocco, Jack Fisher, Morgan Raley, Kyle S. Beyer

International Journal of Exercise Science

International Journal of Exercise Science 18(3): 984-994, 2025. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a KN95 mask on the performance, physiological response, and perception of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Twenty college-aged participants (Male: 10, Female: 10) completed a two-visit, crossover, counterbalanced study. The HIIT workout included four 1-minute “all-out” intervals at 3.5% of body mass with 4-minute rest intervals, performed with or without a KN95 mask. Following HIIT, participants remained on the cycle ergometer for a 15-minute recovery period. For each interval, peak power and average power were recorded. Throughout the HIIT workout and recovery, …

The Impact Of Public Relations Strategies On The Effectiveness Of Epidemic Management In Jordan: A Case Study Of Covid-19, Hazem Jamil Al-Rahahleh

Middle East Journal of Communication Studies

This study aimed to explore the impact of public relations strategies on the effectiveness of epidemic management in Jordan, using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. The study employed the descriptive-analytical method, which is based on the systematic description and interpretation of social and media phenomena. The findings revealed that public relations play a pivotal strategic role in managing health crises by building public trust, preparing communication plans, and formulating awareness messages in coordination with relevant authorities. The study recommended the need to enhance the training of public relations personnel in managing communication during health crises, to continue diversifying …

Finding Community: A Thematic Analysis Of Resilience During The Pandemic, Myles Kwitny, Quinn Richards, Grace Digirolamo, Shannon Freedman, Sophie Wenzel

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic impacted those within rural Appalachian communities, particularly people with marginalized identities.

Purpose: Through interviewing 44 participants from New River Valley, an Appalachian community in Virginia, this study sought to understand how resilience impacted individuals' experiences during the pandemic.

Methods: Participants belonged to one of the following groups: African American, Hispanic, older adults, or people who use drugs. Participants were required to reside in the New River Valley and be older than 18. Each participant was interviewed either in person, by phone, or over video call. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, then thematically analyzed for themes of resilience. …